Child psychiatry: ADHD criteria: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child psychiatry: ADHD criteria

Sample item

Which statement about DSM-5 criteria for ADHD is correct?

ASymptoms need only be present at schoolBOnset must be after age 18CSeveral symptoms must be present before age 12 and in two or more settingsDDuration of 2 weeks is sufficient

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Several symptoms must be present before age 12 and in two or more settings

DSM-5 requires six or more symptoms (five for those 17 or older) of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity for at least 6 months, several present before age 12, and in at least two settings. They must clearly interfere with functioning.

Option by option

A. Symptoms need only be present at school
Symptoms must occur in at least two settings.
B. Onset must be after age 18
Onset is in childhood, before age 12.
C. Several symptoms must be present before age 12 and in two or more settings (correct)
Correct. Onset before 12 and impairment in two or more settings.
D. Duration of 2 weeks is sufficient
Duration of at least 6 months is needed.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Several symptoms must be present before age 12 and in two or more settings. DSM-5 requires six or more symptoms (five for those 17 or older) of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity for at least 6 months, several present before age 12, and in at least two settings.

Why is "Symptoms need only be present at school" not the answer?

Symptoms must occur in at least two settings.

Why is "Onset must be after age 18" not the answer?

Onset is in childhood, before age 12.

Why is "Duration of 2 weeks is sufficient" not the answer?

Duration of at least 6 months is needed.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: ADHD criteria in Psychiatry. They must clearly interfere with functioning.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child psychiatry: ADHD criteria?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.